Janome Workbooks

Did you know that Janome offers a series of workbooks and addendums to understand and operate our machines to the fullest? In these pages you will find the detailed explanation of the specific functions of the machines and the presser feet that are supplied with the machine and the optional feet.

The original MC15000 Workbook has 107 pages of knowledge to get you acquainted with your new machine. Then, we launched an addendum with an additional 24 pages about the AcuFil tools and functions. Now, we have relaunched the workbook with a total of 248 pages of information! That’s 117 pages of new material relating to the new Quilt Maker model! Learn how to use the new feet, new sewing features and the included apps! This book comes fully assembled with all available content for the Horizon Quilt Maker Memory Craft 15000.

Already have the MC15000 Workbook but updated your machine to the Quilt Maker version? That’s ok! The Quilt Maker content is available as its own addendum for individual purchase as well. With 124 pages dedicated to new features, it’s a must-have addition to your current workbook.

There are two  Janome Horizon Memory Craft 15000 workbook addendums which includes information on AcuFil Quilting.  The addendum to the workbook includes 24 new pages. The third addendum is the one for Quilt Maker/version 3. 
NOTE: The addendums do not include the binder when purchased separately. The entire bundle with binder and 3 parts is available as well. Please ask your local Jnaome dealer for more information. Janome Horizon Memory Craft 15000 Work Book .

The Janome all-new Accessory Presser Foot Workbook is now available!  This fully illustrated book will give you a comprehensive overview of Janome’s presser feet. It is written in an easy-to-follow lesson format and includes helpful hints throughout its contents. Janome is sure that this book will be a useful tool for beginner to advanced sewers. The Presser Foot Workbook comes with pages that are bound in a 3 ring binder with a cover page and spine inserts. This workbook contains helpful information on the Blind Hem Foot G; Button Sewing Foot T; Automatic Buttonhole Foot R; Even Feed Foot; Overedge Foot M; Rolled Hem Foot 2mm D; Satin Stitch Foot F; Zig-Zag Foot A, Zipper Foot E and More!
Table of contents from the Janome Presser Foot Workbook
Introduction
Blind Hem Foot G
Button Sewing Foot T
Automatic Buttonhole foot R
Even Feed Foot
Overedge Foot M
Rolled Hem Foot D
Satin Stitch Foot F
Zig-zag Foot A
Zipper Foot E

There are several addendums to the presser foot Workbook:The Presser Foot Workbook Binders and Guides addendum. 56 pages on all the optional accessories that deal with bindings and sewing guides. *Binder not included. This is an addendum, not the complete workbook.
This workbook contains helpful information on these accessories:
Binder Feet
Binder Attachment
Border Guide Foot FB
Clear View 1/4″ Foot OM
Clear View Quilting Foot and Guide Set OV
Edge Guide Foot SE
1/4 Inch Seam Foot O
Rotary Even Foot
Sliding Guide Foot SG

The Janome Coverpro Accessories Addendum is another supplement to the Presser foot Workbook.  This Coverpro Accessories addendum contains 21 pages filled with information on accessories used your Coverpro machine. Learn everything you need to know to sew like a pro on your Coverpro.
The Janome Coverpro Accessories Workbook Addendum Covers:
Center Guide Foot
Clear View Cover Stitch Foot
Elastic Gathering Attachment
Hem Guide Type 1
Hem Guide Type 2
Adjustable Seam Guide
Tape Binder Set
*Please note – This is an addendum. Binder not included.

This addendum or supplement to the Janome Presser Foot Workbook covers multiple free motion feet and options for every Janome sewing machine. This addendum includes 35 additional pages meant to be added to the original Presser Foot Workbook with information on all the optional and standard accessories you would use for free motion sewing and quilting across the spectrum of machines in the Janome machine line up. Written in an easy to follow lesson format with tips and color pictures, it is full of information to help you choose the best tools and techniques to make your creativity shine.
This workbook contains helpful information on these accessories:
Convertible Free Motion Feet:
QB-L (Low Shank), QB-H (High Shank), QB-S (9mm)
Darning Foot PD-H
Free Motion Couching Foot Set
Low Tension Bobbin Holder
Ruler Work Foot QR For Horizon Memory Craft 15000
Snap On Free Motion Feet

Janome’s Specialty Presser Foot Workbook is a supplement to Janome’s Presser Feet Workbook. This specialty foot addendum contains 77 pages filled with information on standard and optional accessories used in specialty sewing and quilting Learn everything you need to know to sew and quilt like a professional on your Janome Machine.
This workbook contains helpful information on these accessories:
3-Way Cording Foot H
Appliqué Foot AP
Beading Foot Narrow Groove L1 and Wide Groove L2
Buttonhole Stabilizer Plate
Circular Sewing Attachment
Concealed Zipper Foot Z
Flower Stitching Attachment
Fringe foot
Gathering Foot V
Pintucking Foot Wide N1 and Narrow N2 and Pintucking Cord Guides
Piping Foot l
Ribbon/Sequin Foot RS
Ribbon Sewing Guide
Roller Foot
Ruffler Attachment RF
Straight Stitch Foot ST
Transparent Buttonhole Foot B
Ultraglide Foot U and Ultraglide Needle Plate
Zipper Foot – Adjustable Narrow Base
*Please note – This is an addendum, Binder not included.

If you already have a workbook, you may order the addendum. If you do not have any of these binders, the full version is the one to order. Note that all of these documents are in English only. There are also many pictures that clearly illustrate the operation to be performed.

Visit any Authorized Janome dealer in your area to order these Janome workbooks and addendums.

NEW MONTHLY SERIES ON JANOMELIFE: PROJECT OF THE MONTH

Welcome to our new monthly series: we will be offering a project with step by step instructions for you to follow along and make once a month. If you don’t have time right now, don’t worry, it will be archived and you can return to it at any time by searching for Project of the month in the search box. We will try to offer you a variety of types of sewing and embroidery projects as well as serger and coverhem garments, etc.

SO……stay tuned for more janomelife sewing fun and how-to info every month of 2019!

GONE SEWING MINI TOTE WITH JANOME EMBROIDERY ON CORK FABRIC

Our January Project of the month is our Gone Sewing mini tote. We featured this bag back in the summer of 2018.  Thank you to Pat who asked recently in our janomelife comment box if there was pattern for this mini tote. It prompted me to offer this as our first project in this new series.   Sadly there is no pattern although the embroidery designs are Janome built-in designs on some of our current models. For the bag construction, I just made things up as I went along.

Do you sew like that? Actually I love doing that as it allows me the freedom to change my mind about creative decisions as I go. I do use patterns but invariably I get a teeny bit frustrated if I have to follow something to the letter while my creative side is wanting to “squirrel off” in another direction!

But here you go with hints and tips on sewing with cork + instructions for the mini tote using Janome machine embroidery on cork. Do feel totally free to “squirrel off” and make the tote entirely your own creation…..please share with us…we love to hear what you are up to.

• I used cork “fabric” for the embroidery. Initially when I first saw this a few years back, I had to do a few large gulps for air (lol) when I saw the price of a FQ but I paid up anyway as I was so determined to try out a dense embroidery design on the cork….. Put our Janome embroidery machines through their paces so to speak using a medium/fabric that I had not used before!
• Subsequently I understood why the price was as it is: The real deal cork only grows in Portugal and is only harvested in one area by the few people left who know how to do this properly. The tree may only be stripped of it’s cork bark once every 8-10 years I believe and if it is not done properly or more often than this, the tree will die. Can’t have that so I’m happy to pay up. However, I am keen to point out that there are some “cork” fabrics on the market which are not the real deal (just like leather: people will tell you it is genuine leather when actually it is an imitation). So the moral of the story here is that you should buy from someone you trust – like one of our reputable Quilt stores or Janome Dealers who you know is selling the good stuff. I have subsequently bought more cork in a variety of styles/designs and colours. Just can’t resist it as it sews up SO well and I love the results I am getting with cork. See pic below for an idea of what is available …..these are waiting patiently for my sewing attention?!

 

 

One yard rolls were purchased from Snip and Stitch Sewing Centre in Nanaimo, BC, Canada and the cork with the paisley print I found at Colettes Sewing Machines Plus in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada, also saw some beautiful cork fabrics at Ultimate Sewing Centre in Oshawa – all are Janome dealers in Canada and their contact details may be found on our Dealer locator tab on www.janome.ca   

Here is another pic showing grey cork fabric which I teamed up with 2 shades of grey/silver vinyl. Love the result! I did use a pattern for this bag: It was the Swoon Charlotte City Tote (pic also below)

• This cork fabric as you will see in the pic’s above is available in different colours (obviously dyed from the original) and can also be printed. I believe we can do this too although I have not tried  …..not when so many gorgeous colours are available and I don’t have to fuss with dyes and mess!
• You may know or will see when you look at cork fabric, that it may have a woven interfacing fused onto the back of the cork. This is what you want. I find this makes the cork strong and yet not too thick and it makes it behave just like a thicker fabric or a vinyl – which most of us are familiar sewing with  – so it is pretty much a walk in the park!
• Some cork fabric may not have this interfacing. I can’t comment on how that sews up as I have not used it. Anybody have some experience with this and would like to comment below on your experience?
• I also have found it in different weights but was a bit dubious about the very thin ones with no interfacing as I was not sure they would be very durable. I suppose you could add your own iron-on interfacing? Similarly, I thought the much thicker ones were not flexible enough for my sewing purposes and were perhaps better suited to craft/glue applications?
• What needle did I use? I used a Janome red tip needle for both the embroidery as well as the sewing and had zero issues. I don’t think a thicker needle like a top stitch or denim/jeans needle is necessary and I’m not sure I would recommend this as the hole the needle makes in the cork is bigger with these needles. Cork is like vinyl and leather – it leaves a hole – so take care.
• Thread? My embroidery was done with Madiera gold metallic thread and I was pleasantly surprized that I had no issues with thread breakage. My Janome and the cork passed with flying colours despite the densely digitized designs I used……which I chose specifically to test out how we could embroider on cork.  Possibly another thread might, or might not have, have given me hassles? I would have swopped to another needle if I had had issues , which I did not in this case. The Janome Purple tip needle might have been an option if I had experienced skipped stitches, but again I did not have issues so did not need to use the purple tip needle.
• What Janome foot did I use?   Just checking you don’t use the PDH darning foot for machine embroidery as in this pic?
•     I occasionally come across people who use this foot in pic above for Janome embroidery and must point out that this is not recommended as the foot may hit the side of the hoop. The P foot ( in the pic below) is the one to use.    I used the P embroidery foot for the hoop embroidery of those lovely monochrome designs and then I used the Janome Acufeed Flex foot  (narrow/single prong feed )     as I totally love this foot and use it for a lot of my sewing. I just adjust my needle position to 1/4 inch where necessary and the foot takes care of feeding my fabric layers just perfectly. Best walking foot I have ever used – period.
• I initially just had a FQ of this cork which I decided to cut up very sparingly and test sew out some embroideries. So first thing I did was select my designs: these are built-in designs on a couple of our Janome Embroidery machines. They may appear in the section called Monochrome designs or may be in another category: there are scissors, spool of thread; pin cushion, key, bee etc. I really like these designs which were zentangle doodled by Jill Buckley of Ontario, Canada and we then had her drawings digitized and added to the collection of designs on some of our embroidery machines.
• Next was to hoop up the appropriate size hoop with tearaway stabilizer ONLY. I use regular medium weight tearaway and then spray it with a little fabric adhesive so that my cork will stick to the stabilizer. Sticky tearaway may also be used. I do NOT recommend using the basting function on the Janome embroidery machine as you may be left with little holes in the cork after you remove the basting – hence the adhesive to hold the cork ….remember my point above.  I did “babysit” the machine a little to check the cork did not move but once the design took hold and had got to a certain point, I was confident enough to stop “babysitting” and get on with something else.
• Once I had completed all my embroideries, I cut them to the size I desired without wasting too much cork. Then I raided my stash and added borders and/or sashing strips of different widths of quilting cotton to surround the cork until I had a bag front & back in the size I desired. My finished bag size was 10 x  12 inches but you can obviously alter that as you wish.
• Sew the front and back together along the bottom edge of the tote.
• Sandwich with a little batting if you wish and quilt in the ditch on both the front and back of your bag. Use the Janome Acufeed Flex foot or one of our other Janome walking feet. Felt or fleece would work just as well as batting.
•  Next up was my handles: I cut strips approx  44  inches long X  2.5- 3 inches wide and pressed a 1/4 inch along the long sides twice.  If you have a nifty tool for this, use it – or be careful not to burn your fingers! I also cut my left over cork into strips approx 1.5 inches wide (piecing where necessary). I tucked the cork strip into the folded over cotton fabric edges. I used Clover clips to hold this in place while I sewed along the edge of the fabric to secure the cork within my handle. Use the Janome Acufeed Flex DITCH QUILTING foot for the Acufeed wide or dual foot as this will feed all the layers really well + give you a guide to run along the folded edge of the fabric. Move the needle position over a little to the right of centre needle position. You could also use a simple decorative stitch like a serpentine stitch if you wish. I made one long strip approx 44 inches long and then cut it in half so that I had 2 handles. Pin these in place on the right side of the front & back of your tote bag with the raw edges of handle ends aligning with the raw edge of the top of the tote. Also measure from the sides and centre to ensure your handles are positioned correctly and evenly on both sides of the tote.
• I then cut a lining for the bag. This needs to be almost the same size as the front & back of the tote (which has now been sewed together along the base): cut it the same width as the bag but 1 inch longer – this extra 1 inch forms the top edge of the bag.
• Please see *** below if you want pockets in your tote.
• Clip or pin the 2 short ends of the lining to the TOP edges of the bag RIGHT sides together and sew 1/4 inch seams. You will be sewing the handles in at this point so be sure to remove any clips or pins that might be hiding there.
• Flip out to the right side and press these seams so that the top edge of the bag is formed.
• Now flip to the wrong side again and line up the outer part of the tote front with tote back and lining front with lining back. You will have one long rectangle. Ensure your handles are out of the way of the side seams of the tote. Pin if necessary. Now sew 1/4 to 1/2 inch seams down both sides of the bag leaving about 4-5 inches open on one side of the lining – this is where you will turn the bag out to the right side.
• Turn out to right side and close the gap in the lining with a simple straight or zig zag stitch.
• Push the bag lining down into the bag and smooth/ press the top edge of the bag. Top stitch around the top edge to further secure the handles and keep bag outer and lining in place.
• *** Optional: you could plan ahead and add pockets to the inside or outside of your tote if you wish. These would need to be added to the bag before sewing the lining and bag together.

Voila! Gone Sewing tote is done…..just the thing to take along with a few items needed to keep you busy while away from your current home stash of tools and sewing supplies?

Or change the theme and make this into a knitting bag? or lunch tote with yummy fruit embroidery perhaps? Or embroider a friend’s name or monogram on the cork and let the rest speak for itself? So many ideas, so much fun……but so little time?

 

Here (above & below) is a similar tote I made using these same Janome Monochrome embroidery designs with much the same bag construction and it has a pocket on the outside. Just the right size for some knitting or crochet “on the fly”.

We’d love to hear if you have sewed with cork or made a useful mini tote…..so please let us know.

Is there a specific project you might like us to offer during 2019? Something you have a hankering to make but are not sure where to start?

Do tell and we will see what we can do to help.

Personalize Your Garments with Janome Machine embroidery

Customize your clothes with Janome:  Fashion trends come and go, but denim seems to always be in style.  We can reinvent basic denim garments by easily customizing it with embroidery.  Use tear away stabilizer for the embroidery.

Here is a stretch denim skirt with fabric content of 97% cotton and 3% spandex.  Prewashed and ready to embroider:

It is very bland, don’t you think? There are several choices available since we have a phenomenal amount of designs in our embroidery library!  I chose to use the Digitizer MBX V5 embroidery software by Janome. I played with the functions to dissect the design to move some parts to the other side of the buttons creating my own personal design.

Now my skirt is unique. No one will have the exact same skirt as you, unless you copy my masterpiece!  Happy designing.

Originally Published in La vie Chez Janome By Céline Ross

 

Valentine’s Day Heart Ornament

It’s not even February yet, but I was in the mood to create a Valentine’s Day decoration using the Janome MC9400. Usually, I’m working on this type of project the day before the holiday, but (for a change) I actually stitched up this heart ornament well before the big day.

Editor: Kim sewed this Valentine’s project on her Janome MC9400 but since completing the project we have switched out her Janome MC9400 for the new Janome MC9450! All the instructions and information in this post equally apply to the new Janome MC9450…….if you are as lucky as Kim and have this brand new model! 

I used the decorative stitches and the monogram feature on the Janome MC9400  to create this project and the biggest problem I encountered was deciding which stitches and what phrases to create. With several hundred decorative stitches, it was hard for me to decide on just a few for the heart ornament. Of course, it also gave me ideas for several more that I hope to whip up before February 14.

To make your own Valentine’s Day heart ornament, you’ll need:

Red or pink fabric – enough for the front and back of the ornament

Batting for the centre – I recommend 100% cotton batting

Ribbon, rick rack or trim for the hanging loop.

Scissors

Contrasting thread

This project is embellished with decorative stitches and words or phrases that you can create on the Janome MC9400. or Janome MC9450. My favourite part about this heart ornament is that you can personalize it by creating the words and/or phrases that seem most “Valentine-y” to you.

I always recommend creating and stitching out your words or phrases on sample fabric before adding them to your “real” ornament. This allows you to measure them and mark your ornament so you’ll know exactly where to start stitching.

I created “XOXO”, “Sweetheart”, and “Kisses” on the Janome MC9400 or Janome MC9450. I  created several variations of each word and chose the one that I liked the best for this project.

I also added some decorative stitches to my heart ornament. You’ll need to choose one to go around the outside of the heart and you may want to add a few to the interior as well.

I chose two decorative stitches to embellish my heart: D21 to go around the outside of the heart (which also anchors the hanging loop) and D13 for some interior interest. While I used the default settings on these stitches, remember that you can often change the width and length of the decorative stitches on the Janome MC9400 or Janome MC9450

For the step-by-step tutorial on how to make this Valentine’s Day heart ornament, click on the image below.I hope you’ll try this easy project. It’s a good way to try out a variety of decorative stitches and become familiar with the monogram feature on the Janome MC9400  and Janome Mc9450.

If you’d like more information on using the decorative stitches and monogram feature on the Janome MC9400 and MC9450, please visit my Chatterbox Quilts’ YouTube channel.

Happy stitching from Kim Jamieson-Hirst, Janome Canada Artisan in Calgary, Alberta.

Introducing the NEW Skyline S6

There’s been LOTS of buzz recently as Janome announced the arrival of 10 – YES! 10 NEW sewing machines this Fall and Winter season. Can you believe that? 10! Who wouldn’t LOVE a new sewing machine!

Janome educators were recently given the assignment to sew a variety of samples to correspond with showcase our new machines.  Among these is our fabulous NEW Janome Skyline S6. You might already be familiar with the whole Skyline range of machines; Skyline S3, Skyline S5, Skyline S7 and Skyline S9 as they’re quite distinctive in the Janome line-up with their beautiful soft blue accents. Did you know you can get a super-useful and cute accessory case in that same blue to match?

Visit your local Janome dealer for more information.

Among many features, what sets the Skyline S6 apart from the others is it’s dynamic new Indigo Blue colour accents.

It was like Christmas when my package of fabric for my samples arrived in the mail last summer as I couldn’t wait to rip into it to see what fun and exciting goodies were inside! A beautiful Indigo Blue layer cake was among the treasures and with it I made a table runner (as many of our Jnaome Canada Educators did)

but I took it a step further ….and sewed a set of placemats to go with the table runner

and even a set of 4 coasters/ mug rugs with some of the scraps!

Nothing goes to waste in my sewing room, and with the escalating cost of fabrics these days, I feel it is indeed valuable treasure not to be squandered.

One reason I chose to make the placemats is that I wanted to try a different quilting technique on each using a variety of Janome presser feet and accessories:

1. For one placement, the mug rugs and table runner I quilted parallel rows of stitching using the fabulous AcuFeed Flex foot (which comes included with the Skyline S6 as well as with many other Janome machines like the Horizon MC 8200QC, the Horizon MC 8900QCP, the Horizon MC 9400 QCP, the all NEW Horizon MC 9450QCP, and of course the top-of-the-line Horizon MC 15000 Quiltmaker).
2. For another placemat, I used the Ditch Quilting foot 
3. While the third placemat features free-motion quilting using the Darning foot.
4. The last technique I tried was ruler quilting with the fabulous Janome Ruler Work Kit.

Please see your Janome dealer for more information about any of the above mentioned products and machines. If they don’t have this, or any other item in stock at the time you ask,  they can always order it in for you.

I will delve into the specifics of how I made the placemats; highlight their respective presser feet chosen and discuss the quilting techniques in upcoming blog posts so be sure to check back for janomelife posts to come.  Better yet, “follow” the Janome Life Blog so you don’t miss a post as an email alerts you to every new post published.

To finish everything, I used my favourite attachment, The Janome Quilt Binder Attachment for a quick, easy finish. Take a look at that mitre. Not too shabby, isn’t it?  With so many corners, placemats and table runners are great projects to practice using the binder attachment, and yes, practice makes all the difference. Sure, I’ve been sewing and quilting for almost 30 years, but I still need to practice, test and experiment to help ensure better, more desirable results in the end.

Check back to the Janome Life Blog for an upcoming post on how to use the Janome Binder Attachment as well. Or do a search for the many posts we have already done over the years.

To finish the coasters/mug rugs I used the Janome Wide Beading Foot to zig-zag, or couch, some strands of yarn around the edges; fast, easy and fun to do, which, for me, is one of the main reasons I want to sew things for myself. It’s FUN, or at least, it should be. With Janome machines, presser feet, accessories and attachments it’s definitely FUN!

Now, onto sewing more samples!

What FUN projects will you make with YOUR Janome machine today?

RULER FEET VIDEO’S

Pix courtesy of Amy Johnson of Amys Free Motion Quilting 

Hot off the press! Janome America have made these 2 great video’s available:

First video covers: Ruler Quilting on Machines with an Auto Presser Foot Lift

The second video covers:  Janome Ruler work accessories.Feet, attachments, rulers.

pc courtesy of http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk

Enjoy and thank you to the Education team at Janome America for these clear and concise video’s. 

 

 

 

Part 2 of Quilting with a Domestic Sewing Machine: Ditch Quilting

Sometimes the hardest part of machine quilting your quilt is organizing your set up and deciding what to quilt first. Not to worry, we’ve got you covered!

The most important part of setting up to quilt is to make sure that you are going to be comfortable. It’s not enjoyable to do if you end up hunched over and sore for three days after quilting something!

Here are some tips: Place an extra surface beside you to hold your quilt sandwich. Wear quilting gloves. Lots of light, plenty of breaks and good music helps too! Mentally (or pen and paper!) plan out how you want to quilt your quilt. Do you want to show off your piecing? Hide some mismatched corners? Or perhaps you want to anchor all your layers as simply as possible and do some fancy free motion.

My favourite way to get started is with some simple ditch quilting, and if your machine is equipped with our Janome AcuFeed Flex system ( in pic above), you are already equipped for it. I chose the wide foot with the open toe  sole plate (optional accessory with some models Part #202149004) . I like to be able to see where I’m going next, and the open toe plate makes it easy to slide your thread out of the way. Another option is to use the Ditch Quilting sole plate for the Acufeed Flex foot which has a nifty guide to ride along in the ditch of your blocks.

A good quality invisible thread is what I’m using, because I don’t necessarily want to see my quilting. Also, I am using pre-wound bobbins. They are so much faster when it comes time to change them.

Once you have set up your machine, carefully maneuver your quilt sandwich under the presser foot. Choose your starting point (my sandwich is rolled and secured on both sides so that this is easier, and keeps the extra in place for the first pass of stitching), drop your needle and put your presser foot down.  This acts like a parking break for your project so that you can get comfortably situated. I like to use my start/stop button and put my feet on a stool, it saves my back and allows me to really enjoy the process.

I have also slightly angled my sewing machine. This allows me to better use my side table to support the weight of the quilt sandwich as I quilt.

Some other tips I discovered while ditch quilting:

• Getting set up may take some trial and error: You’ll find out right away what works for you.
• Start slow!! You can always increase your speed as you get comfortable.
• Use a locking stitch and straight stitch needle plate: this helps avoid thread nests on the back and accidental bumping of your needle position as you move your quilt.
• Quilt the seams in the same direction at the same time: you will minimize your fiddling time and maximize your quilting time.
• Cats make excellent quilt sandwich weights so that it doesn’t slip off the table!

This is Miss Fiona, our kitty who loves crafts as much as I do!

I’ve linked a video here for you to see ditch quilting in action, enjoy!

Our next part in this series (in February) will show how to add flair with free motion and embroidery.

Until next time,

JanomeGirl

The NEW Janome MC 9450QCP offers even more “flex”ibility with AcuFeed!

I recently sewed a set of 4 placemats, a table runner and 4 mug rugs from a beautiful indigo blue layer cake. I decided to try a different quilting technique on each of the placemats. I quilted one placemat, the table runner and the mug rugs using the fabulous Janome AcuFeed Flex feet. They are amongst my all-time favourite Janome presser feet.

Janome has offered the Twin/ Dual AcuFeed Flex Foot Holder and the Single/ Narrow AcuFeed Flex Foot Holder for a number of years now, BUT,  debuting with the fabulous NEW Horizon MC 9450QCP, Janome has released the NEW AcuFeed Flex Professional Grade HP 2 foot.

As you can see in the photo below, even amongst the Janome AcuFeed Flex feet for the Twin/ Dual holder, I STILL couldn’t decide on just ONE foot to use. And, really, why should we decide? Janome presser feet are some of the most economically priced in the market, and they all do such fun, time-saving things yielding better, more professional results.

Going clockwise from the top left in the pic below : The regular AD foot, UD Open Toe foot, OD Quarter Inch foot with Guide, SD Stitch In The Ditch foot, and STD Single Hole foot to use with the Single Hole needle plate. These feet are compatible with all Janome Acufeed flex model machines – Please see your Janome Dealer for more information or to buy these very useful feet.  Definitely worth having them all! Check your standard accessory list in your machine instruction manual to see which of these feet you may already have!  They’re great items to add to the birthday or Christmas wish lists, too! (hint, hint!)

For those who are perhaps in the market for a new machine you might want to have a look at the ALL NEW Horizon Memory Craft 9450QCP, which is just one of the 10 new machines Janome is launching over the next few months. Apart from being a fabulous machine with some exciting new features, it has the equally fabulous and NEW Janome AcuFeed Flex Professional Grade HP 2 foot! Janome has done it again!

Everyone has been loving the HP (high performance) needle plate and foot on their Horizon MC 9400QCP, the MC 6700P, updated MC 15000 and MC 15000 Quiltmaker, but now Janome has further “amped” it up with AcuFeed……..

The HP foot and corresponding needle plate is great for sewing around curves and to achieve that perfect quarter of an inch seam allowance. You can see the above photo that the HP 2 Foot has markings spaced a quarter of an inch apart, so you know just where to stop sewing and pivot your fabric. This is perfect for those once-dreaded “Y” seams. Fear no more – Janome has you covered.

The new Horizon MC 9450QCP has this new HP2 foot included, but it is now available in a blister pack for the Horizon MC 9400QCP, MC 6700P, Mc15000 version 1 & 2 updated to version 3 and MC 15000 Quiltmaker.

Please see your local Janome Dealer for more information. In addition, watch janomelife for more MC9450 info, projects and more…..coming up soon.

Happy Sewing!!

Winners of the Janomelife Christmas giveaway!

Announcing the winners of the recent Christmas giveaway: 2 random computer generated numbers were selected and then matched to the order in which entries came in between 24th December and midnight EST on 31st December 2018. As stated in the post on Christmas Eve, only those who listed both the project(s) as well as the machine and/or machine foot or feature they used, were eligible to win.

Happy to tell you our winners are:

Faye and Linda. An email has been sent to each of you to obtain your postal addresses for shipment.

Faye tells us that she loves her Janome MC15000 especially the “amazing HP foot and plate “ ( her words). She has been  making In-the-Hoop projects from Sweet pea and the Nutcrackers for Christmas.

Linda tells us she has been making mug rugs as hostess gifts + has been working on Quiltworx Cattails. She loves the GR hoop on her Janome Mc15000 – it is real time saver for her as it cuts down on the hoopings. “Love it!” ( her words).

Congrats ladies! Your thread, embroidery CD’s etc will be shipped off as soon as I get your addresses.

Thank you to everyone for entering and for telling us what you were busy with on your Janomes. I was inspired and impressed by all the sewing and embroidery activity you are all doing and pleased to see that many of you just love the HP foot and plate and are clearly using this for your sewing with much ease and success. This is available on a number of our Janome models now…..you may wish to check out at your local Janome dealer what is causing quite a sewing buzz!

Well done and may 2019 be another great sewing year for us all!

 

 

Foot of the Month: Janome Piping Foot

Editor: We know you really like our Foot of the month series which we have offered for many years. (You might like to do a search for Foot of the month in the search box to find all the many previous foot posts we have offered over the years). Michael has done an exceptionally good post on the Piping foot so this post below will kick off our popular Foot of the month series in its new first Wed of the month slot. Let us know in the comment box if there are specific feet you’d like us to cover. Now over to you, Michael!

When you want to add a little splash of colour, add a distinctive decorative flair, or add a more professional, couture-like finish to your sewing project, consider adding a row of piping before stitching your seams.

Of course, this is a quick and easy process when using the Janome specialty Piping Foot.

Janome has a Piping Foot for both 7mm and 9mm machines, so be sure you select the correct one for your machine. Consult your owner’s manual and visit your Janome dealer for more information. I am THRILLED to tell you all that you may also use the “search” function in the Accessories section of the NEW AND IMPROVED Janome Canada website, Janome.ca to find which presser feet are available for your machine.

As with all Janome presser feet and attachments, there’s full instructions on how to use the Piping Foot on the back of the blister pack.

There’s also great information and inspiration to be found in previous posts on the Janome Life Blog. Be sure to “Follow” us so you don’t miss a post!

Recently, I decided to add a little decorative touch to a quilt by adding some piping before I sewed on the binding. I also added a narrow flange; a 1.5 inch strip pressed in half before I added the piping. It’s basically piping with no filling, lol! After making so many quilts over the last 27 years, it’s fun to add some new techniques and some new elements to keep things fresh and interesting. Adding a little flange, or sewing piping is also a great way to use up left-over fabric, which is the perfect excuse, of course, to go out to buy some more!

The all-metal Janome Piping Foot has two grooves in the underside which allow yarns, cords, braids, etc. to easily pass through while sewing. No need to pull and tug while stitching; just let the machine and the foot do the work.

Use one groove to make the piping, and the other to sew the piping to your project. Again, full instructions are on the package, but there is also some terrific piping projects and tutorials from our friends at Sew4Home.

I keep a variety of cords and left-over yarns in a drawer next to my machine so I can make yards and yards of piping whenever the mood and the project strikes. It’s challenging not having a fabric store where I live, but I can sometimes find sewing supplies in some unlikely places. For example, some of my favourite cording to use for piping comes from the hardware store. I preshrink the cotton cords, by the way, as I certainly don’t want the piping to shrink whenever I wash my quilt, for example.

For even more information about the Piping Foot, Janome has created the aptly named Presser Foot Workbook so you can get comfortable learning about all the specialty presser feet and attachments available. Your Janome dealer will be able to order it in for you if they don’t have it in stock at their store. It’s a tremendous resource of information at your fingertips.

To what projects will YOU add piping?  Pillows? Sofa cushions? Garments, like around a pocket edge or lapel? SEW many possibilities with Janome.

Happy Sewing!